Imaging features of unusual lesions and complications associated with ovarian mature cystic teratoma

Abstract

Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is a common neoplasm of the ovary that typically contains mature tissues of ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal origin. This tumor tends to affect younger women, its presentation ranges from pure cystic mass to complex solid cystic mass, and the detection of intratumoral fat component is the key diagnostic imaging feature. MCT can be associated with various complications and it demonstrates a wide spectrum of imaging findings. Associated complications include rupture, torsion, malignant transformation, and gliomatosis peritonei. MCT may also have unusual imaging features that can lead to misdiagnosis. These features may expand the differential diagnosis to include immature teratoma, monodermal teratoma, mature cystic teratoma with minimal or no fat, and collision tumor. The aim of this article was to highlight and describe the imaging features of unusual ovarian MCT lesions, and the complications associated with ovarian MCT.